HSE intends to maintain services at ’Comer hospital

Despite the closure of 10 beds at Castlecomer District Hospital, the hospital’s services are due to be maintained for the foreseeable future, according to plans by the Health Service Executive.

Despite the closure of 10 beds at Castlecomer District Hospital, the hospital’s services are due to be maintained for the foreseeable future, according to plans by the Health Service Executive.

One of the objectives set out in the HSE South’s Regional Service Plan released last week is the “retention of all community hospitals in the (region),” with a reduction of 60 beds overall, including 10 in Castlecomer District Hospital.

However, it ads: “There are a total of 60 temporary bed closures in the Carlow/ Kilkenny area at present – the majority of these beds have been vacant for an extended period of time. The existing number of beds continues to meet the demand for both short and long-stay care.

“While the demands placed on the service through staff retirements will be considerable, existing service levels will be maintained through the development of efficient rostering systems and a skill mix model that will continue to meet the needs of older people in care. A continuous review of bed usage will be undertaken to ensure that the current mix of short and long-stay beds is appropriate to meet the service needs and this mix may be amended as required.”

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